A small thing in a big city
With all the lovely things about Portland that I go on about all the time, there is one little thing that has been nipping at my heels like your neighbors' overly aggressive little dogs. And it's kind of a catch 22: with the great weather during the summer, great roads, and how convenient everything is, there are SOME bicycle riders that think they run the road. I'm getting a little tired of the rude cyclists, especially in the downtown area.
Some mornings I'll take my girl to work and I have ruuuuuuude experiences with bikers. Now, I know I'm driving a car, which is not exactly earth-friendly, but that doesn't mean that I'm not also trying to enjoy Portland's beautiful weather.
Some people on bikes think the roads are theirs and that they should be directing traffic rather than adhering to the laws of the American road system. In the next few years, I think there are going to be even more cyclists than cars on the roads so this should get worked out.
Basically, I just wanted to get this off my chest. I'm not trying to hit you. But you still have to stop at the stop signs. I just want you to use your little hand signals so I know where you're going. If not, I'm going to be forced to use harsh language like "shoot" and "frick."
So, if you see me driving around in my car, just be nice to me.
August 21st, 2008 - 12:54
Since when did cars own the road? A bicycle is a vehicle according the Oregon laws. Yes, some cyclists don’t follow the rules of the road and don’t use signals, but many drivers don’t either. It goes both ways, more friendly drivers and more friendly cyclists are needed in Portland. I hope that you’ll be one of them.
August 21st, 2008 - 16:11
I love the post Channing… I get so tired of the cyclists too. Their response is always “well we are entitiled to the whole lane.” Yeah well there are a lot of things I am entitled to that I forgo for the good of society. Ride on the side of the road cyclist unless you are turning or it is otherwise unsafe to do it. Yes big bad automobiles polute but you can still show some courtesy. I still remember that 03 or was it 04 game when the Beavers beat Arizona at OSU. I am a huge Beaver fan but man how could you lose to the Beavers? Anyway I hope you stay in P-town!
August 21st, 2008 - 17:01
Sigh. Car drivers heaping derision onto cyclists because we add an extra ten or twenty seconds to you getting to your destination. “I think I am going to go run one over today.” “knock em off of their bikes with a 12 foot stream of pepper spray and hit the gas.” “Feel free to run the next bicyclist you encounter off the road.” Seriously, folks? Its gotten old.
While I’m quick as the next person to admit that there are some inconsiderate and rude cyclists out there, there are a few things that the people making these inconsiderate and rude comments need to remember the next time you feel like venting:
1. There are a whole lot more drivers on the roads than cyclists – cyclists account for approximately 4.4% of the traffic you’ll encounter on any given day in Portland.
2. Drivers have the same responsibility to behave in a courteous and safe manner that cyclists do. That “he did it first” excuse got old in grade school.
3. Cyclists killed by drivers last year: 6
Drivers killed by cyclists last thirty years: 0
See you out there. Be safe and smart everyone.
August 21st, 2008 - 17:33
Some of you seem to be digging a little too deep on this one. I re-read Channing’s post and there’s a touch of humor there. I think he, along with many may be a little frustrated, but overall his original post was not made with an iron fist. Like he said: Just getting this off my chest. Personally, I like the fact that this site exists. To me, the post came across more like a casual observation. I don’t think it was intended to “make life harder” for anyone. I like the fact that a pro ball player takes the time to create dialogue with the fans…no matter what the subject is. Channing is one of the good guys in the NBA (not the only one) and I really don’t think he uses this forum to make our town divisive. Portland is a great town to live in, but like any other place it has its annoying aspects…one of those could be: Over zealous cyclists…or motorists.
August 22nd, 2008 - 08:07
There are some boneheaded bike riders out there, no doubt about it. But there are some boneheaded drivers out there too. I haven’t seen anything that suggests the percentage of boneheadedness is greater in one group or the other.
The only difference, as I see it, is that the car drivers are driving lethal weapons, while the bikers are riding… bikes.
August 25th, 2008 - 23:20
What you all don’t address is Who putting us on the same Street the City of Portland In most cases It can be avoided but it won’t be its how goverment work to divide people.That gives them the power.
Work from home Get a the cars and the bikes off the Road ,Take back your power
December 7th, 2008 - 12:33
Whats realy scary is when some kid allows another kid to sit on the front of his bike i mean thats dangerous its somthing if you ever saw IM NO FOOL ON ABIKE know you never allow someone to sit on the front of your bike these kids need some bike safty lessions rather then all this PC poppycock